Device for connecting suction pipes to tanks and other receptacles



Mar. 27, 1923. 1,449786.

w. c. SHANLEY.

DEVICE FOR CONNECTING SUCTION PIPES T0 TANKS AND OTHER RECEPTACLES. FILED FEB: 21.192I.

2 SHEETSSHEET l.

Mar. 27, 1923. 1,449,786.

. I I w. c. SHANLEY L DEVICE FOR CONNECTING SUCTION PIPES T0 TANKS AND OTHERRECEPTACLES.

v FILED FEB. 2h I921. 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2| Patented Mar. 27, 1923.

UNITED STATES 1,449,786 PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM C. SHANLEY, OF DES MOINES, IOWA.

DEVICE FOR CONNECTING SUCTION PIPES T0 TANKS AND OTHER RECEPTACLES.

Application filed February 21, 1921. Serial No. 446,652.

ceptacles, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to devices for supporting a pipe in the manhole or opening of a tank or other receptacle containing a liq uid, and particularly to means for supporting a suction pipe in the manhole or dome of a tank car. An important feature of the invention consists in so connecting the suction pipe with the tank that the pipe has a fire-proof connection therewith so that inflammable gases cannot easily pass through the device and flame cannot enter.

It is a common practice to unload tank cars by means of a suction pipe through the manhole of the tank dome and heretofore in practice such tanks have not been provided with means for preventing the escape of inflammable gases or the entrance of flame.

According to my invention I provide meanswhereby the suction pipe may be introduced through the dome of the tank and which are of, such form that the pipe may be shifted or moved to 'a limited extent later-- ally without producing an opening which would permit the escape of gases or the entrance of flame. Such a device is used-at an unloading station where a suction pipe is located. When the suction pipe is withdrawn or when the tank car is in transit from a loading to an'unloading station a cap or cover is provided which closes the suction hole opening and thus protects the contents of the car.

Briefly stated. the device consists of a cover for the dome having an elongated opening therein through which the suction pipe may be passed and wherein it has a lateral movement to a limited extent. Above the cover top having the elongated opening is arranged a sliding plate operating 1n guide rails and having a circular opening of approximately the diameter of the suction pipe and through which the suction pipe extends. When thepipe is moved laterally the slide is correspondingly moved over the cover top having the elongated opening and the arrangement is such that the opening in tl"e cover top is not exposed in such-manner as to permit the escape of vapors or the entrance of flame. The means for closing the openings in the sliding plate and the cover top when the tank car is in-transit consists of a cap adapted to fit over the openings and provided with'means for securely fastening it to the cover. r

In the accompanying drawings,

Figure l is a perspective view of a portion of a tank car, the dome of which is equipped with some of my improvements;

Figure 2 is a detail view in vertical section of the dome with some of my improvements applied Figure 3 is a plan View of the same;

Figures 4 to 6 inclusive illustrate that form of my invention in which a cover is provided for closing the dome tightly when the car-is in transit or when the suction pipe is removed;

Figure 4: is a perspective view with the several parts separated;

Figure 5 is a plan view of the assembled parts Figure 6 is a plan view of the dome cover;

Figure 7 is a plan view of a plate secured to the dome cover and carrying a sliding plate having an opening to receive the suction pipe.

Figure 8 is a plan view of the cap.

It will be observed that in Figures 4. to 8,

inclusive the devices shown in Figures 1 to 3 inclusive are employed-in connection with other elements.

Referring first to Figs. 1 to 3, A indicates the dome of a tank car B. C indicates a cover for the dome, which cover is formed with an elongated opening D. A plate F, having a circular opening I, is adapted to slide in guide rails E. attached to the cover C. The suction pipe H is adapted to extend through. the opening f and also through the opening D and into the tank B. In this way a fire-proof connection is made between the suction pipe and the tank and provision is made for allowing a limited lateral movement of the pipe in the tank. When the suction pipe is withdrawn the sliding plate may be drawnto one side and to such extent as to bring the circular opening 7 beyond one end of the elongated opening D.

I prefer, however, to employ special means for closing the openings when the suction pipe is removed and these devices are shown in Figures 4 to 8 inclusive. In this. case the dome A has a raised portion a. on which rests a cover H, having bolt holes in in it to receive bolts a which also pass through holes a in the dome. The cover H is in this way permanently attached to the dome and said cover is formed with an elongated opening m similar to the opening D, above described. The cover carries rails m which serve to guide the slide N, which has a central opening it to receive the suction pipe. The slide N may be operated in the same manner as the slide F in Figure 3. The suction pipe may be passed through the hole a and through the elongated opening it and the pipe may be shifted laterally while in the tank to a considerable extent. When the pipe is withdrawn it is desirable to tightly close the openings, especially when the tank is filled with volatile liquid. I therefore provide the cover H with bolts 0, which hav a threaded connection with the cover at o, extend through the cover and carry nuts 0. P indicates a cap, preferably of the shape shown, having recesses p to receive the bolts 0, and these bolts carry clamping devices Q which, when the parts are assembled, pass over the bolts 0 and are held thereon by nuts 9. The arms of the clamping devices engage the cap P and the cover H and hold the cap firmly on the cover in such manner as to enclose the sliding plate N and protect the opening through the cover from danger of fire.

It will be understood that the cover plate H is permanently attached to the dome A. When it is desired to insert a pipe into the tank the cap P, the clamps Q and the nuts 9 are withdrawn, thus exposing the sliding plate N. The suction pipe may be inserted and moved laterally to a limited extent, as

before described. When the suction pipe is withdrawn the cover P is applied in such manner as to cover the openings at and m, as-

well as the slide and the guides and then the clamps Q, are applied to the bolts 0 and the nuts g screwed home. By these improvements provision is made for preventing many losses which have heretofore occurred, due to the absence of proper provision for preventing ignition of inflammable gases rising from volatile liquids.

I claim as my invention:

1. A cover for a receptacle provided with an elongated pipe-receiving opening extending through it from top tobottom, a sliding plate supported on the cover and having a circular opening completely surrounded by the body of the plate which covers the elongated opening on opposite sides of said circular opening, and WhlCh is movable from end to end of the elongated opening, and arallel guides for said plates.

2. A cover or a receptacle provided with extending through the openings in the cover 7 and in the plate.

4:. The combination with a suction pipe of a receptacle having a cover provided with an elongated opening through which the pipe extends, a sliding plate supported on the cover above the elongated opening therein, and having a circular opening completely surrounded by the body of the plate through which the pipe extends and means for covering the openings in the cover and in the plate when th suction pipe is withdrawn.

5. The combination with a suction pipe, of a receptacle having a cover provided with an elongated opening, a sliding plate supported on the cover above the elongated opening therein and having a circular opening movable from end to end of the elongated opening with the pipe when the plate 1s adjusted on the cover, said plate having closed portions on opposite sides of the circular opening for completely closing the elongated opening when the circular opening in the plate is moved beyond either end of the elongated opening.

6; A receptacle having an opening closed by a removable cover formed with an elongated opening in combination with a sliding plate supported on the cover and having a circular opening to receive a suction pipe, a cap for covering the openings in the sliding plate and in the cover plate, and means for securing the cap to the cover plate.

7 The combination with the manhole of a receptacle of a cover plate bolted thereto subscribed my name.

WILLIAM C. SHANLEY. 

